Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the medical use of ionizing radiation (X Ray) to destroy and sterilize the operation area, in order to lower risk of persistent cancerous cells.
Depending of the disease and the operating procedure, 2 types of radiotherapy can be used:
- External beam radiotherapy: the most common form; it consists of an external source of radiation pointed at a particular part of the body.
- Brachytherapy - internal radiation therapy – is delivered by placing the source of radiation inside or next to the area requiring treatment.
Further to your consultation with the radiotherapist and the clear location of the area(s) to treat, treatment will be administrated sometimes several days within a week.
Radiotherapy is in itself painless.
Treatment may last weeks.
Side effects depend on the treated area, and generally appear during the second part of the operating procedure. Most common side effects are:
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Damage on epithelial surfaces.
All relevant detailed information will be given to you when you will meet your radiotherapist.
Last update: 10/2/2013
